Corrie soap image is unfair to Salford, says professor

The streets of Weatherfield and the sounds of the Rover's Return should be silenced for the good of Salford, according to a local academic.

Michael Harloe, vice-chancellor of Salford University, told the Manchester Evening News that the soap paints an unreal picture of the city and prejudices people against it.

"We are very closely tied to the image of the area, constant reinforced in the media. If we could remove Coronation Street from the TV, I would cheer because it does more bad for the reputation of Salford than anything else.

"It's a completely romanticised picture, and wrong."

The long-running ITV soap , gave an impression more akin to the slums of the 1930s than today, said Prof Harloe. "It's not like that anymore - we have a different type of deprivation.

"We've an interest in the regeneration of Salford, because we have a huge stake in it. Improving the image and reputation of the university is vital."

Alison Sinclair, a spokeswoman for Coronation Street, branded the professor's view as "nonsense".

"It's not true to say it puts people off coming to Salford. People understand it is a drama, and that there is more to Manchester than back street terraced houses."

The show helped tourism, with fans coming from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. While it "harks back to a certain era", Ms Sinclair maintained it did reflect real life. "It is a slightly heightened reality. It reflects parts of the area that do still exist, and it's there to entertain people."

Corrie is likely to survive academic barbs. Shown in 25 countries, its peak audience in 1987 saw 26m tune in to see Hilda Ogden depart.

Among a handful enjoying a quiet afternoon pint at the Rover's Return pub in Salford, opinions were divided. "It should stay as it is," said Pat Millward, who has watched every episode since it began. "It's accurate and shows day to day life as it is." Her companion, Tommy Johnson, was not a big fan, but said: "It doesn't run Salford down, it builds it up. I think it represents Salford in a good way."

Dave Miller, a 21-year old accountant,found it "boring and not at all funny", and should not even be on TV. "It's not realistic at all. Salford is really rough and nasty. If anything it's putting a good gloss. That Tricky Dicky is not a patch on people round here."

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